Michigan State is investigating head football coach Mel Tucker for sexual harassment, according to ESPN.
The investigation began several months ago, per the report.
Sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy filed the complaint — according to USA Today — alleging that Tucker masturbated without her consent during a phone call, sent her gifts and asked if she would date him if he was not married.
A prominent rape survivor who now works to educate athletes about sexual violence, Tracy was invited to the school by Tucker three times between 2021-22 to speak to the team.
Tucker, who was outspoken about fighting a culture of sexual violence in sports, also recognized Tracy as an honorary captain for a spring football game.
The two developed a professional relationship over an eight-month period before Tracy claims an April 28, 2022, phone call revealed Tucker’s intentions.
Tracy froze for several minutes while Tucker masturbated and made sexual comments to her, according to the complaint obtained by USA Today.
The alleged incident brought back old trauma for Tracy, who was raped by four men — three Oregon State football players and a high school recruit — in 1998.
“The idea that someone could know me and say they understand my trauma but then re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around it,” Tracy told USA Today. “It’s like he sought me out just to betray me.”
Tucker has admitted to masturbating on the call, but refutes Tracy’s characterization of the incident and claims it was consensual.
“Ms. Tracy’s distortion of our mutually consensual and intimate relationship into allegations of sexual exploitation has really affected me,” Tucker wrote in a March 22 letter to the investigator, per the outlet. “I am not proud of my judgment and I am having difficulty forgiving myself for getting into this situation, but I did not engage in misconduct by any definition.”
Michigan State reportedly hired an outside Title IX attorney to investigate the complaint, which was completed in July.
A hearing is set for Oct. 5 and 6, during Michigan State’s bye week.
Tucker signed a 10-year, $95 million contract in 2021.
Michigan State is 2-0 following Saturday’s 45-14 win over Richmond.
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